Tage Thompson’s 2nd goal is the game-winner for Rochester.
By CRAIG POTTER / C&C Worldwide Sports Director
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Rochester Americans began their 64th American Hockey League season with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over the Syracuse Crunch on Friday night before 5,239 fans at the Blue Cross Arena.
“We are an excited group,” said Amerks team captain Kevin Porter. “We had one game this weekend and we wanted to get the two points. We didn’t want to go into overtime, but we are still happy with the win.”
Tage Thompson’s second goal of the contest proved to be the game-winner in overtime as interim head coach Gord Dineen also gained his first victory for the Amerks. Chris Taylor is assisting with the Buffalo Sabres as assistant coach Don Granato is hospitalized and on a leave of absence.
Veteran goalie Andrew Hammond, making his Rochester debut, recorded 27 saves, many of the spectacular variety, in earning the win.
“Hammond was our best player tonight, especially early in the game,” continued Dineen. “He made some big saves tonight to keep us in it. One of the best things I like about him is his compete level. He competes for every puck and that makes it easy on the defensemen. His play with puck was impressive.”
The Amerks opened the scoring in the first minute of the second period as Thompson skated around at the top of the slot while his wingers worked down low. Thompson faked a pass and rifled a shot past Syracuse goalie Louis Domingue.
“That was a big goal for us,” said Dineen. “It got us going and it was a heck of a shot. Their goaltender did not have much of a chance on the shot.”
The Crunch tied the game on a power play tally midway through the stanza.
Rochester regained the lead early in the third period when Andrew Oglevie fired home the rebound off Scott Wilson’s shot.
Syracuse once again evened the count with another power play goal to send the game into overtime.
Hammond kept the scored knotted with about 8 minutes left in regulation when he turned aside a Crunch penalty shot.
That helped set the stage for Thompson’s winning shot in overtime.
“It was a great play by ‘Reds’ (Zach Redmund) along the boards,” said Thompson. “Aspie’ (Rasmus Asplund) made an unreal pass that I almost missed, but I was able to get the shot off. At first I didn’t think it went in, but it was a great finish for the night after a sloppier start than we had liked.”
*NOTES — The Amerks are 39-19-6 all-time in home-opening games and have outscored their opponents 263-203 dating back to Rochester’s inaugural season in 1956…In all-time season opener, the Amerks are 33-24-7 and outscored their opposition 240-219 over the past 64 years…Friday’s season opener was the 8th straight year the Amerks began the season at home…Veteran forward Kevin Porter was named the team’s captain for the third straight season, and 4th time in his 12-year career…The Amerks next 3 games are all on the road next weekend for the first of just two 3-in-3 weekend contests this season.
Videos
Andrew Hammond save – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR_ulC0lTWk
Tage Thompson OT goal – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rD8mLQ47W8